PASIR PUTIH, June 1 ― A Selangor delegate at the PAS Ulama annual general meeting here today expressed his opposition to the Islamist party’s decision to field Dr Rani Osman as its candidate in the June 18 Sungai Besar by-election.

Nik Bakri Nik Mat voiced scepticism over Rani's loyalty to the party, and urged the ulama wing to be more assertive in deciding the party’s future election candidates.

“Forgive me for saying this. I would like to suggest that the ulama wing be more firm when it comes to matters on candidacy,” he said during the debate on wing's chief policy speech.

“I don't know how to say this, but for Selangor, it is better that we do not field a thief to go against a thief,” he added, without elaborating.

Talk has been rife that Rani had previously criticised PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for being friendly with political foe Umno.

Nik Bakri said the ulama wing is supportive of the central leadership’s move to field professionals in elections, adding that Selangor PAS is strong due to the mix of professionals and ulama.

But he asserted that the leadership should aim to field genuine professionals and not fake ones.

“We support the decision to field in professionals..but make sure they are not cetak rompak professionals,” he said, using the Malay word for fake, without elaborating.

In response to the criticism, the party's ulama wing chief Datuk Mahfodz Mohamad said in his winding up speech that PAS's election committee had ensured its choice of candidate was the best.

“The process will start with the constituency first. Then it will be taken up to the committee in which I am also a member of,” he explained.

Mahfodz also chided the Selangor delegate for making an impertinent suggestion, and advised the latter be more discrete, saying their muktamar was observed by the world.

He also said once the decision has been made, members should abide by it and work to ensure the candidate wins.

“We have to be wala (loyal) to the leadership and work,” he said.

The Sungai Besar by-election was called following the death of its Umno MP Datuk Noriah Kasnon.

Both PAS and Umno named their candidates over the weekend although nomination this Sunday.

Pakatan Harapan is scheduled to announced its candidate later tonight.